Rebound check



Dec. 11, 1928.

N. F. M NAUGHT REBOUND CHECK Filed Dec. 8, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet mm m mm m E r m I R n O N Dec. 11, 1928. I I 1,694,549

N. F M NAUGHT REBOUND CHECK Filed Dec. 8, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNg Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

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NORRIS F. MGNAUGHT, GE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GROSS MANUFAGTUR- ENG COMPANY, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATICN OF ILLINOIS.

REBOUND CHECK.

Apphcation filed. December 8, 1824. Serial No. 754.562.

This invention relates to certain improvements in rebound checks such as may be ad vantageously applied to the springs of a vehicle, the purpose being to control the recoil following compression.

in general it is my object to produce a device of this character which will operate to assure the same result in the expansion as in the compression of a spring; to check the spring rebound before any considerable momentum has developed, thereby leaving only its potential recoil to control; to apply to the spring a desired degree of resistance which will vary as the spring exhausts itself in reaching normal position; and to exert a resistance to the recoil which increases rapidly the moment the spring passes the normal point on rebound,thus bringing the spring to a cushion instead of a sudden stop. A structure having these general characteristics is shown in my application Serial No. 683,3 '2, filed December 29, 1923, of which this is, in part, a division.

These and other objects are realized in the r constructions which are herein shown and described, certain embodiments thereof being illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the manner following:

' Figure 1 is a transverse section through the front axle of a motor vehicle, taken inside of the approximate wheel, showing one frame member and its associated forward spring to which one of the present devices is operatively applied;

Fig. 2 which is a view in side elevation shows the parts in the relation occupied when in a normal or average position;

Figs. 3 and 4: are similar views of a slightly modified construction, the former showing the parts in a normal position and the latter in a position which is occupied when the spring is expanded; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken approximately on line 55 of Fig. 3.

The operative relation of my rebound check to the parts with which it is associated ap pears clearly in Fig. 1 wherein is shown the forward end of a vehicle having the usual longitudinal frame member A below which is arranged a multiple leaf spring B resting upon the vehicle axle C whereon are mounted the front wheels D. The rebound check E is shown as fastened to the frame A and having a connection extending to the axle C arranged to control expansion of the spring following its compression toward the frame.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2 the device includes a mounting in the form of a base plate 6 from which is laterally extended a curved friction wall 7 over which is trained a flexible strap 8. At one wall end 9 the strap turns toward a drum 10 having a rotatable mounting on stud 11 which is also extended from the base plate. An arm 12 which connects with both the stud and wall serves as a guide and support for the associated parts.

The strap 8 which is secured to the drum leaves the friction wall as at 1 to pass to the vehicle axle for connection therewith. A rotating force is applied to the drum by tension means here represented as a coiled spring 15, it being manifest that this spring which acts in opposition to the one supporting the vehicle frame, will keep the connecting strap taut at all times.

A particular feature of this invention is the drum and the manner in which it co-operates .with the associated parts. As shown in Fig.

proceeds from a point of maximum leverage,

or substantially so, on the drum. If the strap be allowed to wind upon the drum, this leverage decreases rapidly with the result that the coiled spring is rendered more effective to resist initially the succeeding unwinding re action. After passing the normal position of i Fig. 2, the increasing tension of the coiled spring, together with its resulting decreasing leverage connection with the strappw'ill serve effectually to bring to a cushion stop the vehicle spring rebound which this device is designed to check.

The construction just described in connection with Fig. 2 may be modified slightly as shown in Figs. 3 and l, but without departing essentially from the features of novelty which characterize this invention. The several parts entering into this construction are suhstantially the same andso bear corresponding reference numerals. In one respect only is any change to be noted. This is in the shape of the drum 10 which in Figs. 3 and 4 is circular but with an eccentric mounting upon the stud 11. With such a drum the vehicle spring rebcund is snubbed in exactly the same manner as occurs with the cam-shaped drum of Fig. 2, although the checking force is applied more gradually. This construction, however, which is a modification of the one first described, is suggestive as typical of others which might advantageously be employed.

Any suitable shell or casing 16 may be placed over the device, the same being provided with an opening at the point where the strap passes therethrough. As this is merely for protective and ornamental purposes and has no other function, it has not been thought necessary to illustrate the same, except in 5. A further additional feature which is illustrated in Figs. 35 may also be incorporated, if desired. This consists of a rotatable stem 1? having an eccentric block 18 in proximity tothe strap 8 at a point where a break 19 occurs in the friction wall. One end of the stem which protrudes exteriorly of the housing is formed for convenient manipulation with the aid of a proper tool whereby the eccentric may be adjusted to deflect the strap slightly, as indicated. In this manner the friction component may be varied according as necessary for best results.

I claim:

1. In combination with a body and a spring support therefor, a rebound check fixedly secured to the one and having a flexible con-- nection with the other, the rebound check including in its structure a spring-operated cam whereon the flexible connection is adapted to wind, and a friction wall over which the flexible connection is required to travel, the cam having an oval form with its axis of rotation equidistant from the major portion of its periphery, and the flexible connection passing to the wall from the cam at a point of maximum radius when the parts are in normal working position.

2. In combination with a bed and s rin 1 support therefor, a rebound check mounted fixedly on the one and having a flexible connection with the other, the rebound check including in its structure a spring operated cam on which the flexible connection is adapted to wind, and a friction wall over which the flexible connection is required to travel, the flexible connection. passing from the cam to the wall at a point of maximum cam radius.

3. In combination with a spring supported body, a rebound check for the body spring comprising a housing which is mounted on one part, a drum carried by said housing and being rotatable upon an eccentric axis, a spring contained within said housing and adapted to exert a rotative force upon the drum, and a flexible connecting means extending from the other part to said drum and adapted to wind over the periphery thereof to provide a variable leverage through which the expansive strain of the body spring is transmitted.

a. In combination with a spring supported vehicle body, a rebound" check for the body spring comprising a housing which is mounted upon one part, a cam-shaped drum rotatably carried by said housing, resilient means adapted to rotate said drum relative to said housing, and a flexible connecting means secured to the other part and to said drum and adapted to wind over the periphery thereof so as to cause sai spring to have an increased leverage upon said flexible means when said body spring is deflected from normal position in either direction.

5. In combination with abody member and a spring supporting member therefor, a rebound check carried by one of said members and having an operative mechanical connection with the other of said members, said rebound check having a flexible friction member, a cam-shaped member upon which said f iction member is adapted to wind, and a friction wall for engagement with said flexible friction member, said flexible member in its normal operating position passing from said cam to said wall at a. point of maximum cam radius.

6. in combination with a body member and a spring supporting member therefor, a rebound check carried by one of said members and having an operative mechanical connection with the other of said members, said rebound check having a flexible friction memher, a cam-shaped member upon which said friction member is adapted to wind, a friction wall for engagement with said flexible friction member, said flexible member in its normal operating position passing frem said am to said wall at a point of maximum cam radius, and adjustable means for increasing the frictional engagement of said membe" with said wall.

7. In combination with a body member and a spring supporting member therefor, a rebound check carried by one of said members and having an operative mechanical connection with the other of said members, said rebound check having a flexible friction memher, a cam-shaped member upon which said friction member is adapted to wind, a friction wall for engagement with said flexible friction member, said flexible member in its normal operating position passing from said cam to said wall. at a point of maxinuim cam radius, and adjustable means for increasing the frictional engagement of said member with said wall, comprising an eccentrically rotatable body for engaging said flexible friction member.

NORRIS F. llloNAUGHT. 

